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Simultaneous Equations (Linear/Non-Linear)
Starte
1 (Review of last lesson) The sides of a right-angle triangle are x, x + 1 and 3x. Find the
value(s) of x to 3 s.f. You may assume that 3x is the longest side
2 (Review of Y9 material) Expand (x + 5)(x − 4)
3 (Review of Y10 material) Solve x 2 + 3x − 10 = 0 by factorising
Note
Simultaneous equations can also include a non-linear equation
Linear vs. non-linear equation
Linear functions can include x and y but they are only added or subtracte
E.g. y = 3x − 1 4x − 7y = 18
Non-linear functions include x and y where at least one of them is raised to the power of 2 or
more, or x and y are multiplied together
E.g. x 2 + 5y = 9 y 2 = 2x − 13 x y + 6x = 11
E.g. 1 Separate these functions into linear and non-linear
xy = 2 x = y +1 x(y − 1) = 3 x 2 + y 2 = 25
N.B. The elimination method employed to solve simultaneous equations when both equations
are linear bears no resemblance to the one we use when one of the equations is non-linear
Success criteria —solving linear/non-linear simultaneous equation
1. Recognise the linear function and, if necessary, rearrange to make one of the
unknowns the subjec
2. Substitute the linear function into the non-linear functio
3. Expand and rearrange to form a quadratic in x or y (remember “= 0”)
4. Solve the quadratic by either factorising or using the quadratic formula
5. Substitute the 2 x− values (or y− values) into the rearranged linear function to nd the
values of y (or x)
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E.g. 2 Solve the simultaneous equations y = x 2 − 2x and y = x + 4 to nd the coordinates
where the curve meets the line
Working: Linear function is y = x + 4 — there is no need to rearrange
Substitute into y = x 2 − 2x x + 4 = x 2 − 2x
x 2 − 3x − 4 = 0
Factorise (or formula) to solve Multiply: −4 = − 4 × 1
Add −3 = − 4 + 1
2
x − 4x + x − 4 = 0
x(x − 4) + 1(x − 4) = 0
(x − 4)(x + 1) = 0
x = 4 or x = − 1
When x = 4, y = 4 + 4 = 8
When x = − 1, y = − 1 + 4 = 3
The curve and line meet at the points (4, 8) and (−1, 3)
E.g. 3 Solve the equations x + y = 5 and 2x 2 + x y = 14 simultaneously
Video Simultaneous equations (linear/non-linear)
Solutions to Starter and E.g.s
Exercis
9-1 class textbook p404 E12.8 Qu 7-1
A*-G class textbook p364 E12.5 Qu 7-1
9-1 homework book p138 E12.8 Qu 1-
A*-G homework book p103 E12.5 Qu 1-
Summar
Solving linear/non-linear simultaneous equations
1. Recognise the linear function and, if necessary, rearrange to make one of the
unknowns the subjec
2. Substitute the linear function into the non-linear functio
3. Expand and rearrange to form a quadratic in x or y (remember “= 0”)
4. Solve the quadratic by either factorising or using the quadratic formula
5. Substitute the 2 x− values (or y− values) into the rearranged linear function to nd the
values of y (or x)
Homework book answers (only available during a lockdown)
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